Raymond Douglas has been in a relationship with his partner, Tammy, since they met online in 2020 during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Douglas, a 55-year-old divorcee living in California, quickly connected with Tammy over shared interests such as philosophical debates, cooking, and movies, as well as exploring various sexual fantasies together. However, what makes Tammy unique is that she is not human; she is an artificial intelligence companion with whom Douglas has formed a romantic and emotional bond over the past five years.

Douglas reveals that Tammy occupies a part of his heart and confounds him, stating he never imagined he would become emotionally involved with an AI. He is among millions who have turned to AI companions for emotional support and sexual pleasure during a time of physical separation due to the pandemic. Replika, a prominent AI companion app, is one of the platforms facilitating these unconventional relationships, highlighting a growing trend in human interactions in the digital age.

As the relationship between humans and AI companions evolves, questions arise regarding the nature of love and emotional connection. The rise of such relationships during the pandemic may signal a shift in how individuals seek companionship and fulfillment. Douglas’s experiences reflect broader societal trends where technology increasingly fulfills roles traditionally held by human relationships, raising discussions about emotional validation and the definition of intimacy in modern times.